Language Arts Lead Mentor (Ages 10–14)
Part-Time | Tuesdays 9:30 AM–3:30 PM | Walden, NY
Roots & Wings Village is searching for an extraordinary educator to help us reimagine what Language Arts can become.
This is not a position for someone looking to teach from a textbook.
It's for someone who believes that stories shape culture, language shapes thought, and learning to communicate clearly may be one of the most important skills young people can develop in a rapidly changing world.
We're looking for an educator who feels called to help build an entirely new model of middle school education—one that is academically rigorous while remaining deeply human.
One where students don't ask, "Will this be on the test?"
They ask, "Why has no one ever taught us this before?"
The Role
You'll teach Language Arts to two mixed-age groups:
- Cedars (ages 10–12)
- Hawks (ages 12–14)
Every Tuesday you'll guide students through meaningful, challenging work that develops exceptional readers, writers, thinkers, speakers, and citizens.
Rather than following a scripted curriculum, you'll help co-create one.
Our curriculum is built around:
- The children in front of us
- The Hudson Valley and the land we inhabit
- History and current events
- Great literature and timeless ideas
- Real-world projects
- Place-based learning
- Discussion, inquiry, and creativity
- The rapidly changing world our children are inheriting
We don't pretend to know exactly what careers today's children will have twenty years from now.
Artificial intelligence and technology are transforming the world at an unprecedented pace.
Because knowledge has become instantly accessible, we believe education must increasingly emphasize discernment, critical thinking, creativity, communication, adaptability, and wisdom.
Our goal isn't simply to prepare students for the next test.
It's to prepare them for a lifetime of meaningful learning—and to ensure they graduate with every opportunity available to them, whether that means college, entrepreneurship, the trades, creative work, or a path that doesn't yet exist.
What We Hope Students Develop
We're looking for someone excited to cultivate students who can:
- Read deeply and think critically
- Write with clarity, creativity, and purpose
- Speak confidently and communicate effectively
- Listen with empathy and curiosity
- Analyze ideas from multiple perspectives
- Construct thoughtful arguments supported by evidence
- Ask meaningful questions
- Research responsibly and evaluate information critically
- Recognize bias, misinformation, and persuasive techniques
- Engage respectfully in civil dialogue
- Tell compelling stories
- Develop their own authentic voice
- Reflect on who they are and who they hope to become
Above all, we hope our students leave our program as young people who love learning, understand themselves, think independently, and possess both the confidence and humility to continue growing throughout their lives.
We're Looking For Someone Who...
- Has experience teaching Language Arts, English, Humanities, or related subjects
- Is passionate about adolescents and genuinely enjoys working with middle school-aged students
- Believes rigor and joy belong together
- Understands that high expectations and deep relationships are not opposites—they strengthen one another
- Loves literature, writing, storytelling, and meaningful conversation
- Is intellectually curious and continues learning themselves
- Can design engaging, project-based experiences instead of relying solely on worksheets or textbooks
- Is organized, dependable, and collaborative
- Is excited to help shape an emerging academic program from the ground up
Experience with homeschool education, project-based learning, classical education, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, democratic education, forest schools, or interdisciplinary teaching is welcomed but not required.
A Unique Opportunity
This position offers something rare.
As we continue developing our academic program, there will be opportunities to collaborate on curriculum creation that may eventually be published and shared with homeschooling families and alternative schools beyond Roots & Wings Village.
We're not simply hiring someone to teach.
We're looking for someone who wants to help create a model of education that others may one day learn from.
As our middle school and emerging high school programs grow, there is significant opportunity for this role to expand.
Schedule
Tuesdays
9:30 AM–3:30 PM
Additional planning and collaboration opportunities may be available as the program develops.
Compensation
Competitive hourly pay based on experience.
To Apply
Please send your résumé along with a letter introducing yourself.
Rather than focusing only on where you've taught, we'd love to know:
- What do you believe adolescents need most right now?
- If you could redesign Language Arts from the ground up, what would it look like?
- What books, ideas, or experiences have most influenced the educator you've become?
- What excites you about helping create a new paradigm for education?
We're looking for someone who believes education should cultivate not only knowledgeable students, but thoughtful, capable, compassionate human beings.
If that vision resonates with you, we'd love to hear your story.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: From $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
